recursive acronym

Definition

An acronym in which a word (often the first) of the phrase represented by the acronym is the acronym itself.

Etymology

From recursive + acronym, originating in early hacker culture and later popularized by Douglas Hofstadter.

Example Sentences

• "I used the odd variable name “tato”, mentioning that it is a recursive acronym standing for “tato (and tato only)”. Using this fact you can expand “tato” any number of times."